provision Archives – CadreMen Press Devotionals

You Lack Nothing

You Lack Nothing by Kirk Hunt

“For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing.” ’

Deuteronomy 2:7 NKJV

An entire generation of God’s people died, wandering in the wilderness. Still, like a tender Father with a favorite child, God cared for them the entire time. Even during their punishment, they lacked nothing.

Even at our worst, God gives His best. No matter how difficult the moment, consider that He is caring for you. You are His favorite. Even when you misbehave, He loves you more than you can know or understand.

He has always been, and always will be a holy God. Our sin and rebellion cannot always be excused through grace or dismissed by mercy. Never forget God is also a God of righteousness, judgment, and correction. Not even the most tolerant father can indulge misbehavior indefinitely.

The Hebrew people wandered the wilderness for 40 years. They were fed each day with manna. The garments they wore supernaturally lasted the entire time. Even their bodies were without wear and tear, until their mortal end.

No matter what you are going through, God is there, providing. No matter how long you have walked this path, God is near, caring for you. No matter why you are where you are, God loves you, so you lack nothing.

Think: God cares for us, so we lack nothing.

Pray: “Lord, help me to recognize and be grateful for Your care and provision.”

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

Cast Your Bread

Cast Your Bread by Kirk Hunt

Cast your bread upon the waters,
For you will find it after many days.
Give a serving to seven, and also to eight,
For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.

Ecclesiastes 11:1 NKJV

Too often we worry too much about ourselves. We are God’s people. We are the sheep of His hand. If we trust God, should we also worry or hoard His blessings? Go ahead and cast your bread on the waters of circumstance.

I get it. For a season, I fretted about something I had to give. I give in faith and amazingly enough, I have never run out. God taught me to give and trust Him to give again. The people I served and blessed with my gift? A bonus, over and above the approval of my God.

God commands our open, giving hands, and promises our hands will gather again. And give again. The advantage of giving per God’s Word is that He always provides more for us to give. It can get to the point where we give out before His provision does.

First, we must act in faith, and purpose. Then we must work in patient expectation. Finally, we receive again. God promised we will find more provision in the days to come, if we first give to others.

God has already given to you. Will you give to others? Your obedience will please Him and bless you.

Think: God promises that if I give, I will also receive. Do I really trust God?

Pray: “Lord, help me to freely give per Your commands.”

Your Gift Makes Room

“Your Gift Makes Room” By Kirk Hunt

A man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.

Proverbs 18:16 NKJV

God is against bribes, but He is for generosity. May the Holy Spirit convict (not condemn) you about graft, but He will commend you for giving. The gifts you give make room for you. What do you put in that space?

“Make room” is not just a reference to physical space. Your room may be the positive opinion of decision makers. Perhaps your gifts open the opportunity to witness to souls about Jesus. Are you wise with the opening made by your gifts?

As a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, you have gifts and are a minister. Your gifts are not just for your benefit. You are intended and custom-made to benefit the men and women around you. By giving your gifts, you almost literally compel souls to make space for you in their lives. What do you place in that hard-won place?

The healing of a skillful doctor or nurse usually gets the gratitude of the patient. Even difficult students speak well of a key teacher who taught important skills and knowledge. The friend who comes through at midnight earns warmth from a friend’s heart. Given a door to another’s spirit, what will you choose to leave behind?

Your gifts lower defenses. Your gifts draw consideration. Your gifts soften hearts. What do you do with that precious opportunity for God’s Kingdom?

Think: My gifts open the door to interactions with men and women.

Pray: “Lord, help me to have faithful courage over what, where and when You command.”

Father-God’s Will

“Father-God’s Will” By Kirk Hunt

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.

Matthew 10: 29 NKJV

Poppa made me get in the truck and go to work with him. Did I appreciate learning a trade and work ethic? Not at the time. In retrospect, I am thankful Poppa compelled me. Consider now the Father’s will.

We confuse God’s best path for us with pleasant things and placid events. We act as if we think God only loves us when we lounge on flowery beds of ease and comfort. Instead, He loves us most when He allows us to reach our limits in desperation and distress. It is in the place of our extremes that we can best hear and respond to His voice.

He is omniscient. He sees all of our situation, no matter where we are. He is omnipotent. No matter how far we are past our limits, He is well within His power. He is omnipresent. You cannot go where He is not or even get there before Him.

No matter how hard and difficult your circumstances, God is right there with you. He is caring for you, despite your pain. His strength carries you no matter how weak you feel. His grace comforts you, no matter how many tears you cry.

The skills Poppa taught me have carried through my life. I still do not completely understand all of God’s will for my life. All I know is that I worth more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:31).

Think: One day I will understand God’s will for my life. Until then I will be obedient.

Pray: “Lord, help me to follow Your will for my life, regardless of how I feel now.”

Poppa’s Hands

“Poppa’s Hands” By Kirk Hunt

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

John 10:28–29 NKJV

The scene plays in my mind with thoughts of peace, safety and golden warmth. I was 4, maybe 5 years old. I sat on the front pew of Prayer Temple (now Nash Temple) and examined Poppa’s hands with rapt fascination. To my innocent young eyes his hands seemed without limit and without equal. 50 years later, my opinion is better informed, but no less convinced.

Even then his hands were scarred and rough from years of hard labor. His hands were strong from pulling electrical cable or cutting wires. In later years I would watch him switch seamlessly from casual displays of raw strength to deft demonstrations of control and finesse.

Despite how gnarled and unattractive they appeared, Poppa’s hands were a blessing of rare quality and strength. Poppa ministered to, provided for and gave protection to his family and anyone who sought his help. His hands were instruments of deliverance and provision.

Consider now the hands of Father-God. God’s hands are omnipresent, omnipotent, guided by his omniscience and motivated by His bottomless love for you. His hands are a place of peace, safety and warmth for every soul that will seek Him. And even for some souls who flee Him.

I sit in Father-God’s hands. It is a place of peace safety and golden warmth. With each passing day, my opinion is better informed and more convinced of His love and provision for me.

Think: The best place to be is in the hands of Father-God.

Pray: “Lord, guide me every day with Your loving hands.”

Goliath’s Sword

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“Goliath’s Sword” By Kirk Hunt

Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

I Samuel 17:51 NKJV

David stood over the prostate Goliath. The giant from Gath had been so contemptuous of David that he hadn’t bothered to draw his sword. David did not hesitate to use God’s provision against his enemy.

To David’s natural eyes, Goliath must have seemed the size of a tank, in size, arms and armor. To David’s spiritual eyes, the blasphemous Goliath was a walking dead man. Little did David realize that the giant’s sword would become his to use for the kingdom.

Goliath’s sword represents the tools and resources that God provides through your opposition. Like David, the giants in your life will not only fall, but their arms and armor will become yours to use for the Kingdom. God will make your enemies fund and equip you.

David used Goliath’s sword to finish off Goliath. David carried Goliath’s sword during his fugitive mercenary years. In my mind’s eye, I can see it hanging as a trophy, or ready for use, in David’s royal audience chamber.

Jehovah-Jireh is the God who provides. At times He sends angles with provision. Other times He sends faithful men and women to sustain you. The rest of the time, He makes your opposition provide for your needs and wants.

Think: God will provide the tools and resources I need to complete my calling.

Pray: “Lord, help me recognize Your provision, no matter who brings it.”

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

God Provided Sufficiently

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“God Provided Sufficiently” By Kirk Hunt

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

Debra was doing the best she could with a small, weak budget. The shirts were new but on clearance. All-but-donated-to-charity clearance. They were last year’s style, and the colors that no one else wanted. I could barely afford the loud, garish, turn-down-the-volume colors. Still, God provided sufficiently.

I got jokes and amused comments about my shirts from everyone. It was tolerable until a snide comment from one of my students set me off. After that I insisted that the next purchase be more sedate colors. Even at the cost of fewer shirts.

I wore the first of my “calmer” shirts and immediately got complaints. The wild colors were a welcome sight in the Seattle gray. The students looked forward to the bright, happy shirts that greeted them at early morning classes. My night students appreciated the eye-opening colors that helped them stay the course through long days of work and school.

The loud, raucous shirts were provision and grace. First for my budget, and then for my students. Not for the first time, what I thought an embarrassment was really a blessing from God.

See His provision through spiritual eyes. What He has provided is probably not just for you. Your weak spot is just the place for His provision to shine. Enjoy the bright colors.

Think: God provides with purpose.

Pray: “Lord, help me to see and understand your provision.”

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

The Real Source

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“The Real Source” by Kirk Hunt

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

1 Corinthians 3:6 NKJV

I learned my multiplication tables with Mrs. Powell. I learned to write a paragraph from Mrs. Fender. I learned the fundamentals of chemistry from Mr. Bibb.

Despite all my excellent teachers (I’m looking at you Mr. Knouse), Mom and Dad are still the educators of record. They provided food, shelter and incentive (twitch) for my education. They had helpers, but ultimately they were the reason behind my academics.

Don’t get me wrong, I logged a lot of hours on study and homework. I finally learned to take responsibility for my own education. Mom and Dad still remain the source for my scholarly journey.

Paul evangelized the Corinthians. Apollos discipled the Corinthians. God made saints of the Corinthians. When God does not send angels, He sends His people to do His work.

The partisanship that emerged among the Corinthians was disruptive, and came from misguided loyalty and appreciation for the instructors. I would never come to blows over who was the better teacher. Nor would they want me to do so.

Respect and appreciate those that God sends to show you the way. Learn to work hard on your own discipleship. Remember that God remains the source of your salvation. He is the real reason for your increase.

Think: I honor those who teach and train, but God is real reason for it all.

Pray: “Lord, help me to honor those who serve, but look to You the real source.”

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

Use What You Get

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“Use What You Get” by Kirk Hunt

Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it [Manna] until morning.” However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.

Exodus 16: 19 – 20 NIV

Moses’ instructions were clear. Each household should gather only as much manna as would be eaten that day. No manna was to be stored.

Of course someone tried to hoard their manna. The heaven-sent food rotted overnight. Disgustingly.

God’s provision of manna to Israel is popularly seen as an allegory of God’s provision for modern-day saints. He gives us gifts and provision. God wants us to gather enough of what He provides, and not to hoard what He gives.

Your skills, education and credentials are a form of manna. They are a provision, ultimately from God, to nourish and benefit your household. Are you hoarding your manna?

There are men and women, ministers and ministries, that need the manna you hold. You have the ability to nourish and benefit other households. Are you willing to share, or will you hoard what God has given?

“…They kept part of it…” You have an opportunity to give from the riches that God has entrusted to you. What have you got to lose?

Think: I should not hoard what God has given.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to share with others what You have given.”

New Soil, New Skills

“New Soil, New Skills” by Kirk Hunt

For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs: But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven:

Deuteronomy 11:10-11 (KJV)

Even in the current era, Egypt’s agriculture is dependent on irrigation. The farm lands of Egypt are a defiant green strip cut through the vast Sahara desert. The ancient Hebrews (or Egyptians) used human-powered machines and devices to move the river water to the growing plots.

Canaan would be a very different story. The rich fields of the Promised Land drew abundant water from the seasonal rains. Instead of the flat plains of Egypt, the farmers would have to grow their crops on hills and in valleys.

Perhaps you are facing a new era and circumstance. Your job/task/ministry remains nominally the same, but the situation forces you to approach it differently. Perhaps radically. This is part of God’s plan for you.

Your old expertise and experiences are not lost or wasted. Your smarts and skills are not the key to your God-given success. His providence and direction are your foundation and core. Do smartly and skillfully, but remember He is your source.

Think: God is my source, regardless of my situation.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to work out Your plan and strategy for my life.”

Your New Possession

“Your New Possession” by Kirk Hunt

Deuteronomy 11:10-11 (KJV)

It is the start of a new year. It can also be the start of a new chapter in your life. All you have to do is leave your spiritual Egypt and possess your spiritual Canaan.

Egypt was hard and harsh for the children of Israel. Their hands were calloused from forced labor. Their backs were scarred from the taskmaster’s lash. Despite it all, Israel had become strong, vital and numerous.

Still, God cautions Israel that the skills and strategies for success in Egypt would not work in Canaan. This new land would require a different approach. New skills and strategies would be needed to be successful in Canaan.

As you take possession of your new place in God, the same will be true for you. Your new and higher place will require different strategies for success. Your former skills will have to be modified, or even abandoned

As you Start this new season in your life, God has set you up. For better. For richer. For abundance. Listen as he tells you what you need to know.

Think: My new place in God will require new skills.

Pray: “Father-God, help me learn new skills, for the new place, You have provided.”

Tag: provision

You Lack Nothing

Cast Your Bread

Your Gift Makes Room

Father-God’s Will

Poppa’s Hands

Goliath’s Sword

God Provided Sufficiently

The Real Source

Use What You Get

New Soil, New Skills

Your New Possession

Protected: Open Our Eyes